10 Interesting Facts About Maya Angelou’s Personal Life
Maya Angelou is an iconic American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. She is one of the few authors whose work has been recognized both critically and popularly. Though much has been written about her work, her personal life is less well-known. Here are 10 interesting facts about Maya Angelou’s personal life that you may not have known.
1. She was born with the name Marguerite Johnson
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her birth name was Marguerite Annie Johnson. She later changed her name to Maya Angelou because the name “Maya” held special significance to her as it was a nickname given to her by her older brother, Bailey Jr.
2. She was raped at the age of 7
Angelou was only 7 years old when she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Following the incident, she did not speak for almost five years, believing that her voice was the reason for the tragedy. Eventually, with the encouragement of a teacher, she found her voice through poetry.
3. She was a single mother at 16
When Maya Angelou was just 16 years old, she gave birth to her only child, a son named Clyde Bailey Johnson. She raised him as a single mother, working various jobs to support him.
4. She worked as a sex worker and a madam
Angelou became a sex worker and a madam in her early 20s. She did this work for several years before deciding to move to San Francisco to focus on her writing full time.
5. She was fluent in several languages
Maya Angelou was fluent in several languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and West African Fanti. She taught English to learners in several countries and worked as a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
6. She was a Tony Award-nominated actress
Angelou was a natural performer and landed several roles on stage, including a role in the original production of Jean Genet’s The Blacks. She also wrote and directed several plays and was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in Look Away.
7. She worked with Martin Luther King Jr.
Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist and worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. She was involved in several movements, including desegregation and voter registration.
8. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Barack Obama. It is the highest civilian honor given in the United States.
9. She was a passionate cook
Maya Angelou was known for her love of cooking and entertaining. She published two cookbooks, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table and Great Food, All Day Long.
10. She was a devout Christian
Maya Angelou was a devout Christian and often referenced her faith in her writing and speeches. She once said, “I believe in living a poetic life, an artful life. Everything we do from the way we raise our children to the way we welcome our friends is part of a larger vision. I believe that we can help ourselves and each other to live our lives fully and well.”
In conclusion, Maya Angelou was a remarkable woman with an inspiring life story. Her contributions to literature and civil rights are immeasurable. These 10 interesting facts about her personal life give us a glimpse into the woman behind the words.
